Free Totally Buzzed (A Miller Sisters Mystery) by Gale Borger Page A

now, but she really ought to be autopsied as soon as possible. The show committee will want to rule out communicable diseases as soon as possible, especially since she came from out-of-country. I'll need her health certificate, along with her Coggins test and any other health paperwork you have. The owner would have already signed a waiver so we don't have to wait for his arrival to get going on this. By the outward look of things there is something odd going on here. I understand you travel with your own veterinarian. If y'all will point me in the right direction, I'll see what he wants to do." He gestured to the gathering crowd.
    Alejandro sadly looked at the filly. He turned back to Donny Ray. He also noticed security had been notified and the crowd was being pushed back. It was only a matter of time before the news media arrived. He understood about privacy and discretion, but he also had to trust someone. He made his decision.
    "Dr. Little, I will be frank with you. I have not seen Dr. Huerta since yesterday morning. I also cannot reach my boss. If you would be so kind, could you have the mare removed to your facility, and would you perform the autopsy? Even though Mr. Martinez cannot be reached at this time, I am sure he would not like his prize filly lying here like this."
    "I agree, Montoya." Donny Ray pulled out his cell phone and made some calls. When he was finished, he assured Alejandro that all was taken care of. Alejandro headed for the tack room and changed out of his bloody clothes. Donny Ray's phone rang again. When he hung up, he caught up with Alejandro.
    "Good thing you're still here, Montoya. The show office called and informed me that because of the unknown nature of the filly's death, the law mandates me to perform the autopsy. You and I both have to go to the show office and fill out the necessary paperwork. Good thing we made the right decision. Come on, amigo, we can go together."
    Leaving the other horses in the care of Jose and the show committee, Alejandro and Donny Ray made their way to the show office. Alejandro took care of the paperwork and gave a deposition of the events to the authorities. Hours later, Alejandro finally made it back to the stall area. Jose stood in front of the now empty stall, staring blankly at the ground.
    "Jose, did Señor Martinez arrive here yet?"
    "No, Alejandro, I no hear from him or from Dr. Huerta. It is very strange." He slumped against the door frame "I don't get it. She was okay when we arrived. The show people, they remove the broken stall after the police take photos. I helped clean up the…you know."
    "Yes, Jose, I know. Well, we will not be allowed to show the other mares until they confirm cause of death, so we are finished here. We have to move these mares tomorrow morning. Let's find something to eat and call it a night." They ate supper and bedded down the other mares for the night.
    Wondering what to do next, Alejandro patted his groom on the shoulder and went into the tack stall. He sat on the tack box, pulled out his cell phone. He again tried Martinez's number. He paced while the phone rang, but he reached the voice mail again.
    In a rare display of anger and frustration, Alejandro spun around and kicked the tack box. Swearing in both English and Spanish, he picked up a currycomb and hurled it against the wall. He dropped back down on the tack box, put his head in his hands, and tried to think.

 
     
    6
     
    Back in White Bass Lake
     
    The picture of Mag with the pancake sloughing off her butt stayed in my mind until I got back to my house. Still smiling, I absently gathered my notes from the glove box and took them to the house. Glancing at my shriveling plants in the window box, I sighed, thinking once again about Carole. Because I was so preoccupied, I did not prepare myself for when I opened the door, and promptly flew off my feet backward as I was hit full force in the chest by 160 pounds of doggie love.
    "Wesley, for Heaven's sake, let me